Joe was a prototype of the more general anti-establishment sentiment that would soon dominate our politics.

Joe remained in the spotlight, in some fashion, over the next few years. In 2012, he ran as the Republican candidate in a House race against Ohio representative Marcy Kaptur (D.), losing badly. He was a mainstay of Tea Party–era events, conferences etc. He continued to espouse his views on other topics, such as immigration and gun control, in ways one could describe as inartful — that is, if one were missing the point. For behind his comments there was never malice, nor duplicity. There was always the genuineness of an ordinary person thrust into public view, who cared more about what he believed in than how it sounded. This great country is full of such people. It could not exist without them.

Joe’s belief in the American dream is what motivated him to question Barack Obama in the first place. It is an idea he came to represent, making quibbles about his station in life or person irrelevant. A primary conservative apprehension, then as now, is that a nation as great as ours is falling short of its potential to empower its people to thrive, even choking off that potential intentionally through state action. As an avatar of aspiration, Joe worried about America because he believed in it.

[He passed away yesterday at the age of 49 — far too young — of pancreatic cancer. Jack’s eulogy hits the mark; Joe meant something to us because he represented working-class Americans in an authentic way. He tried his best to use his accidental platform to push for the country’s good rather than his own. Politics is full of charlatans and snake-oil salesmen, but Joe the Plumber never sold his soul. May the Lord receive him in joy and peace. — Ed]